# NTSB LAX82FA232: Aerospatiale SA-316B, N6456, Dardanelle, CA, June 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1982, 01:26 local (08:26 UTC)
- Place: Dardanelle, CA
- Coordinates: 38.34011, -119.830352 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3401&lon=-119.8304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA232

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM MODESTO, CA ON A MEDIVAC FLIGHT TO PICK UP A VICTIM THAT WAS INJURED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. A NURSE AND A MEDICAL TECHNICIAN WERE ON BOARD. SPOTLIGHTS ON VEHICLES WERE USED TO ILLUMINATE THE LANDING AREA AS WELL AS HIGH SURROUNDING TREES. AFTER CIRCLING ABOUT 3 TIMES, THE HELICOPTER STRUCK A TREE ABOUT 134 FT AGL WHILE IN A DESCENDING LEFT TURN. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES REMAIN LODGE IN THE TREE AND THE HELICOPTER CAME TO REST ABOUT 30 FT FROM THE TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6456](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6456-1984-11-16), registration cancelled 1984-11-16, S/N 1849 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE SA-316B
- Registry model: [Aerospatiale SE3160 ALOUETTE III](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-se3160-alouette-iii) (registry code 8680605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1849
- Airframe hours: 2352
- Engines: TURBOMECA ARTOUSIE IIIB 850 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Continental Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Whirlybirds, Inc.
- Departed: MODESTO, CA
- Destination: DILLON, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 13,795 total, 5,600 in this make and model, 11,120 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820623024669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820623024669A), Jun 23, 1982: Aerosp SE3160, Dardanelle, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Helicopter main rotors struck tops of tall trees during a night approach to a landing site lit by ground vehicles.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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